"I'm sorry, but..."

I'm sorry, but what's with that phrase that so sneakily introduced my sentence? This vocabulary phenomenon has become rampant––noticeably among the twenty-something female population (myself included). Similar to the "I feel like" verbal tick, "I'm sorry, but" is a weak way of introducing a topic of conversation, debate, or simply intrigue. It's a little depressing that so many young, intelligent women are compelled to qualify their thoughts in such a self-depricating manner. Why are you apologizing for your rational, even emotional opinions? They are valid, seeing as you are a human being with the right to your personal beliefs, notions, and propositions.

Here are some abridged examples of "I'm sorry, but..." that I've said or heard recently:

"I'm sorry, but I wouldn't want to be objectified like that." (In reference to the notorious 'hot bartender' myth on campuses and television.)

"I'm sorry, but...starving yourself isn't a 'healthy lifestyle' [air quotes used here]." (A discussion about highly restricted dieting and juicing.)

"I'm sorry, but I don't have the energy to deal with drama."

In reference to a friend looking for a job: "I'm sorry, but having experience––even though it's not your ideal job––is only going to help you."

"I'm sorry, but when did being an intelligent, self-respecting woman become so taboo?"

Women of the twenty-something group: we are better than this! We don't need to apologize! Most of the time, what you are saying, what I am saying, we are saying is true, insightful, brilliant, or amusing. There is no reason we should say "sorry" for contributing to the conversation!

Photo via Instagram

Do You Work Alone?

Often time when I'm writing, I'm completely alone. During my internship this semester, I found that I was spending hours and hours researching in my bedroom, typing up drafts at a secluded table at Starbucks, or working at my apartment while everyone was at class. While I was extremely productive, it was lonely, and the creativity that I got from being around others vanished! Plus, working in my bed got to be really weird, because it became a place where I worked and slept.

Today I'm going to a "workspaces event" in my hometown. It's being hosted by our local publication Volume One. It's pretty rad, so I'm going to see how it feels to work in an office style. It's a bunch of freelancers, writers, home-office workers coming together to make a hodge-podge office!

Do you prefer to work alone? Are you someone that needs the occasional personal distraction with office buddies? 

Photo via @classickitsch Instagram

Away A While

I must apologize for the long time between posts this week! My only excuse is that Spring Break is approaching and my motivation level is dwindling. Also, since the Conclave named a new Pope on Wednesday night in Rome (mid afternoon my time), I scrambled to edit my already-finished article! It was originally scheduled to come out before the Conclave, but due to some back up, we waited. Well just as I was about to send it off, a new pope was named! So I felt very news-y as I rushed to change my article and get it live as soon as possible.

What an adrenaline rush! I felt so professional! Such breaking news. It reminded my why I love my job.

Anyway, I'm dropping in to say I'll be better about posts now after a whirlwind few days!

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram

Of Drugs and War

My latest article for The International was just published. Did you know there's a new law in Mexico that will pay the families of drug war victims up to $70,000? With over 65,000 victims in six years, this is already a multimillion dollar law, and from where the money will come is still pretty unclear.

Also, the drug war is still pretty contentious. A lot of effort has been put in my both the Mexican and American governments, but cartels are still committing grisly murders, transporting drugs, and creating a lot of violence. So will this law help?

READ MORE!

Photo via The International

Antibiotics Are....Scary

My latest article for The International is about antibiotic resistance. This issue is rampant, and as more and more bacteria gain strength, our miracle drugs are losing steam. Some experts are predicting an antibiotic armageddon with in the next decade. Can you imagine a post antibiotic world? Yikes!

Remember That Stem Cell Debate?

Remember a few years back when the biggest debate was over stem cell research? Although we don't hear about it as much anymore, some advances in the field are yielding exciting possibilities, and with those possibilities, some concerns. 

"The Berlin Man" received a blood stem cell transplant (which is pretty much a bone marrow transplant) a few years ago to treat his Leukemia. Surprisingly, after the treatment, his HIV seemed to have disappeared. Although remnant traces linger, he is symptom free and has been off is medication for over five years now! So is this possibly a cure?

Stem cell research is finding all sorts of new discoveries. For example, embryonic stem cells (the big debate) offer a plethora of information and opportunity, while somatic or adult stem cells (like the blood stem cells) don't have the flexibility or potential of the embryonic. So what did scientists do? They've found a way to essentially create stem cells in labs that resemble embryonic stem cells, without actually harvesting any!

Pretty crazy stuff. It seems as though this advancement means no more debate. But wait, there's more...

Read more of my article here, on The International!

Qatar, Sunny Side Up...

There's been a lot of hoopla over the years about climate change and environmentalism. I think because we live in a country that is highly journalized, and much of America's new seems to be global news, we forget that other countries are having the same discussions. (Before I started my internship, I often forgot what real global news meant.) It's easy to believe that the U.S, Europe, and China are the only ones making big changes, but that's simply not true.

Qatar, an OPEC nation, is investing in solar energy, with the goal of producing 20 percent of their energy from renewable resources within this decade. That's pretty fascinating! They were the highest greenhouse gas emitter per capita, so this promise is both honorable and refreshing. 

Read my entire article, here, on The International!

Drones: We're IN the Future

Hello, everyone! So I've started a crazy awesome internship at The International. I've been writing some really fun articles, and I wanted to share. Here's my first published report. It's so insane saying that! 

Writing about drones was beyond interesting. Did you know, civilians can have drones as long as they're teeny tiny. Drones are also being used to track ocean life and endangered animals in Africa. Yes, they're being used for military and surveillance purposes, but some totally cool areas are developing for these unmanned aircrafts. Hello, future.